Page 1104 - Politics
Andhra Minister faces public ire during poll campaigning in his constituency
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N Chinarajappa faced an awkward situation when he found himself on the receiving end of public anger in the Peddapuram Assembly constituency here.Angry villagers did not allow Chinarajappa to campaign in the assembly constituency and the minister had to return from Hussein Puram village in East Godavari district on Sunday.The minister who had won from Peddapuram assembly constituency in 2014 was not allowed to enter the village and did not even permit him to talk with villagers or resolve the matter.The situation arose when villagers reportedly furious over non-resolution of various issues in the village and alleged lack of development prevented the entry of the minister.Election to the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to be held on April 11 simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls for 25 parliamentary seats. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Turkey's Erdogan says ruling AKP to 'correct shortcomings' after local polls
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday his ruling AKP would "correct its shortcomings" after the party appeared set to lose power in the capital Ankara and faced a dead heat over Istanbul in local elections. "If there are any shortcomings, it is our duty to correct them," Erdogan told thousands of supporters in Ankara. "Starting tomorrow morning, we will begin our work to identify our shortcomings and make up for them." The Turkish leader did not directly mention the full election results there or in Istanbul. But said if his party had lost in Istanbul, they would still control the local district councils even if the opposition held the mayor's office. His candidate for Istanbul, former premier Binali Yildirim earlier claimed he had won, but his opponent Ekrem Imamoglu said it was premature, with final results still being counted. The AKP candidate had 48.71 percent of the votes with the opposition at 48.65 percent, according to Anadolu state news agency. Erdogan and the .
Algerian president names new government, keeps army chief
Algeria's powerful army chief retained his post in a newly-named government despite his call to have ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika declared unfit for office. Algerian national television announced Sunday night that Bouteflika and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui named a new government after weeks of mass protests and political tensions in this gas-rich North African country. The new government notably keeps Ahmed Gaid Salah as army chief of staff and vice defense minister. Gaid Salah shocked the nation with his call last week for the constitutional council to set in motion a process to end Bouteflika's 20-year presidency. Critics accused Gaid Salah of trying to orchestrate a coup, and the army chief suggested Saturday that unnamed figures were plotting against him as a result of his stand against Bouteflika's presidency. Millions of Algerians have been holding weekly protests demanding that Bouteflika leave office along with the distrusted political elite. Algerians have ...
Hema Malini in full campaign mode, seen working in field with workers harvesting wheat crop
Actor-turned-politician and BJP Member of Parliament (MP) from Mathura parliamentary constituency, Hema Malini who kickstarted her poll campaigning on Sunday was seen lending a hand to women working in a wheat field, carrying bundles of freshly harvested crop.Malini is seeking re-election from the seat.On being asked by reporters about her future plans for people in her Lok Sabha constituency, the actor said, "People greeted me happily. They welcomed me because I have done a lot for people of Mathura. I am proud of what I did in Mathura. In the near future, more development will be the only aim. Nobody has done anything for Mathura before me like the way I did."Sharing her experience, the BJP lawmaker took to Twitter on Sunday and said, "Began my Lok Sabha campaign today with the Govardhan Kshetra where I had the opportunity to interact with women working in the fields. A few fotos for u of my first day of the campaign."However, a local present there expressed his disappointment by ...
We'll fill 22 lakh government vacancies: Rahul
Making a big poll promise, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said there were 22 lakh vacancies in the government and if voted to power, his party will fill them in less than a year.
Arab leaders condemn US Golan decision at summit
Arab leaders slammed the US decision to recognise the Golan Heights as Israeli territory at a summit in Tunis on Sunday, but struggled for further unity as Qatar's emir left the meeting early. In a final declaration the Arab League summit said it "affirmed that the Golan is occupied Syrian territory according to international law, the decisions of the United Nations and the Security Council". A separate statement dedicated solely to the issue called Washington's move "invalid and illegitimate". "It is true that America is the strongest military force in the world, but its decision is absolutely worthless," League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit told a closing news conference. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Monday in which the United States recognised Israel's annexation of the strategic plateau that it seized in 1967 and annexed in 1981. Israel's move has not been recognised internationally, and three UN Security Council resolutions have called for it to withdraw ...
Turkey local elections: Litmus test for Erdogan
Thousands of voters on Sunday headed to the polls across Turkey to cast their ballots in the local elections, which is viewed as a litmus test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Al Jazeera reported that the municipal election is considered to be the first nationwide referendum on Erdogan's leadership since he won the presidential polls last year in June.Official statistics showed that in the last two quarters of 2018 the Turkish economy slipped into its first recession in a decade, as inflation and interest rates soared due to the currency meltdown. The Turkish lira lost as much as 40 per cent of its value against the US dollar last year.In February, inflation stood at just under 20 per cent, while the Turkish Central Bank's main interest rate is currently 24 per cent.The voting ended in Turkey's eastern provinces around 4 pm (13:00 GMT) and in western provinces around 14:00 GMT.Meanwhile, two people, including an election observer, were killed in the eastern province of Malatya, ...
EU rejects Trump's move over Golan Heights
The European Union (EU) rejected US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights in Syria, EU's High Representative for Foreign affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said on Sunday.
Congress protests attack on party candidate in Tripura
The Congress on Sunday organised a road blockade to protest the attack on their candidate Subal Bhowmik in southern Tripura.
Will defeat Modi, form coalition at Centre: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said his party would form a coalition government in the Centre with Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and other allies by defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 general elections.
The corrupt will be brought to jail: Modi
Projecting himself as an anti-corruption crusader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he had brought those indulging in corruption to the jail and indicated that they would be jailed after 2019 elections.
Mamata, Kejriwal rally for Chandrababu, say Modi-Shah should be sent back to Gujarat
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal Sunday rallied behind TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, seeking another term for him in Andhra Pradesh while also flaying the Modi government for allegedly destroying democratic institutions. At an election rally here, which she described as the launch of her Lok Sabha poll campaign, Banerjee urged the BJP's sister organisations not to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party chief Amit Shah during the national polls. She claimed the BJP won't get a single seat in West Bengal and the party won't cross the 125-mark in the 543-member Lok Sabha. "The BJP has sister organisations. I would like to request them that if you love the country, please don't support Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," the West Bengal chief minister said. "This is a special election. There are not many people to fight for the country, please vote for Chandrababu Naidu. Modi and Shah bully everyone," she alleged. Taking on the PM, .
Sr Cong leader from Telangana joins BJP
Former Congress general secretary P Sudhakar Reddy and a "senior grassroots politician" from Telangana Sunday joined the BJP. The senior Congress leader joined the BJP here in presence of its chief Amit Shah, hours after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said BJP co-media in-charge Sanjay Mayukh. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav was also present when Reddy joined the party. In a tweet, Madhav described Reddy as a senior and grassroots politician from Telangana. Reddy had held several important positions in the Congress, including that of a secretary in the All India Congress Committee.
P Sudhakar Reddy joins BJP
Former Congress leader P Sudhakar Reddy from Telangana on Sunday joined the BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah.After joining the party, he told ANI: "I have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party today. Tomorrow, I will take part in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Hyderabad."Earlier in the day, Reddy had met Prime Minister Modi here and had expressed his desire to join the BJP.He also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, requesting him to take up execution, maintenance, rehabilitation, and resettlement, planning of Polavaram project, initiate and execute Bayyaram and Kadapa steel plants in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh among other demands.The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will end on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
BJP doesn't have money for poor, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the BJP does not have money for the poor people. He was addressing a Congress-JDS joint election rally here."BJP doesn't have money for the government schools and colleges, health, and hospitals, but 15-20 rich people go for loans and get," he said."In the last five years, the BJP hasn't done anything for poor, farmers, small businessmen. All the work the BJP has done is for its richest friends. Chowkidar has given Rafale contract to Anil Ambani," he said.Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul said: "He put Rs 30,000 crore in Ambani's pocket. At midnight, he removed the CBI director. In the last five years, 15 rich people's loans have been waived off but the BJP says it is not its policy to waive off farmers' loans."Gandhi said: "We have waived off loans in Karnataka. Where did that money come from? In Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab we waived off loans. Where did they get money from? There .
AAP women volunteers start metro campaign
The women volunteers of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday started a 'Metro Campaign' to press for their demand of full-statehood to Delhi.The campaign was launched in the presence of party's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai.AAP Mahila Morcha president Richa Pandey Mishra and other office bearers launched the campaign at Rajiv Chowk Metro station. The campaign passed on through other metro stations of the city-state.In a recently held presser, Rai had informed about the launch of 'Metro Campaign.'Giving the details about the campaign, Rai said: "Women wing of the Aam Aadmi Party has kept its demand in front of the party, seeking the security of women in Delhi.
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, KCR to address poll rallies on April 1 in Telangana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top leaders of other parties including Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandra Shekar Rao will address various poll rallies across the state on April 1.BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya, while speaking to ANI, said: "Prime Minister Modi will address a series of poll rallies in the state. BJP is making elaborate arrangements for his meeting in Hyderabad, as it will supplement the party's campaign for four Lok Sabha constituencies--Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri, and Chevella."These rallies will be followed by an election campaign by other 40 star campaigners of the party including Amit Shah, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, and Nitin Gadkari. On April 2, Singh will address a public rally, followed by rallies of Shah and Swaraj, who will participate in the election campaigning on April 4.Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) spokesperson Gudur Narayan told ANI: "Rahul Gandhi will launch his campaign by ...
I will not go in Mulayam Singh Yadav's nomination: Shivpal Yadav
Shivpal Singh Yadav, chief of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), on Sunday said that he would not attend the nomination paper filing of his brother and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav from Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency on Monday as his political adversaries would be there."My adversaries would be there. Hence I cannot go there," said Yadav. He, however, said that he will meet Mulayam Singh Yadav and will invite him for his party rallies."I will meet Netaji to convey my good wishes to him and also receive his blessings. I will invite him for our rallies too," said Yadav.Yadav on Saturday filed his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election. He is in the fray against his nephew Akshaya Yadav, son of Samajwadi Party general secretary Prof Ram Gopal Yadav. Akshaya is also the sitting MP from the seat.In 2014, BJP and its allies won 73 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats at stake in the state. Samajwadi Party won five seats while the Congress could manage to win only two seats. .
Congress will fill 22 lakh government vacancies by March 31, 2020 : Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that there are 22 lakh vacancies in government departments and the Congress will fill these vacancies by March 31, 2020, if voted to power.He said that devolution of the funds from the Centre to the state will be linked to these vacant positions being filled."Today, there are 22 Lakh job vacancies in Government. We will have these vacancies filled by 31st March 2020. Devolution of funds from the Center to each State Government for healthcare, education etc. will be linked to these vacant positions being filled," tweeted Rahul Gandhi..
CM HD Kumaraswamy targets PM Modi over PM-KISAN scheme
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on PM-KISAN scheme, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that only six families received the benefit of the scheme out of the list of 10 lakh farmers' families he has sent."Modi, who came to power five years ago with a lot of promises, is a big liar. One instance is enough to prove this. We decided to waive loans worth Rs 45,000 crore. But Modi said this was lollipop and had not benefited anybody. But I want to tell you that 44 lakh people are benefiting," the Chief Minister said in a joint rally with his coalition partner Congress."We have brought schemes for the welfare of the farmers in the budget. We ensure the farmer is not indebted instead of loan waiver. We sent details of 10 lakh farmer families but only 6 families have been given the benefit under the PM KISAN Yojana," he said.Under PM-KISAN scheme, an amount of Rs 2,000 each in three installments will be transferred directly to the bank account of beneficiaries through the ...